Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 51 - 100 of 116 results:

Evaluation of the Lateral Performance of Roof Truss-to-Wall Connections in Light Frame Wood Systems

2011

National Association of Home Builders Research Center,

U.S. Department of Agriculture

NAHB Research Center,

USDA

Report describing research testing results on roof truss to wall connections in light frame wood systems.

Extended Plate and Beam Wall System: Concept Investigation and Initial Evaluation

2015

Wiehagen Joseph,

Kochkin Vladimir

Partnership for Home Innovation,

PHI,

Home Innovation Research Labs,

HIRL

Report on high-R wall design called extended plate and beam that uses foam sheathing insulation with wall framing.

FEMA Continuous Load Path

2023

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Article explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.

Field Evaluation of Four Novel Roof Designs for Energy-Efficient Manufactured Homes

2015

Dentz Jordan,

et al.

Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,

ARIES

Report of a field evaluation of four novel roof designs to see how each design would reduce space-conditioned energy use so that the knowledge gained could be applied to the design of new manufactured homes.

Field Performance of Unvented Cathedralized (UC) Attics in the USA, PA-0502

2005

Rudd Armin

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Journal article reporting on field experience of unvented cathedralized (UC) attics in several environments in the United States.

Field Testing Unvented Roofs with Asphalt Shingles in Cold and Hot-Humid Climates

2015

Ueno Kohta,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report to understand the long-term moisture performance of unvented roof assemblies with fibrous insulation.

FPC Residential Monitoring Project: New Technology Development - Radiant Barrier Pilot Project

2015

Parker Danny S

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

The FPC Monitoring project has evaluated radiant barrier systems (RBS) as a new potential DSM program.

Guide to Insulating Sheathing

2007

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Guide providing information on using exterior foam insulating sheathing in building wall assemblies to enhance thermal performance.

Guidelines for Ventilating Attics and Cathedral Ceilings to Avoid Icings at Their Eaves

2001

Tobiasson Wayne N,

Buska James S,

Greatorex Alan R

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Report describing the use of fresh air ventilation systems to eliminate the formation of icicles and ice dams along the eaves of roofs.

Header Hangers in Bearing Walls, Code Notes Article 126

2011

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Document providing supplemental information for code enforcement professionals about header hangers in bearing walls.

High Performance Building Details - Advanced Framing I

2010

Steven Winter Associates,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings

CARB,

SWA

Brochure describing advanced framing techniques.

High Performance Building Details - Advanced Framing II

2010

Steven Winter Associates,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings

CARB,

SWA

Brochure describing advanced framing techniques.

Home Energy Guide - Techniques, Tactics, and Tips: Ice Dams

2003

Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center

Minnesota Department of Commerce

Article describing the causes that form ice dams, as well as solutions for preventing future ice dams on roofs, focusing on air sealing to prevent hot air leakage.

How to Build an Insulated Cathedral Ceiling

2011

Holladay Martin

Green Building Advisor

Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.

How to Install Cellulose Insulation

2011

Holladay Martin

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.

How to Prevent Roof Damage from Winter Ice Buildup

2019

Dorsi Chris

Montana State University Extension,

MSU Extension

Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.

Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast: Mitigation Assessment Team Report, Building Performance Observations Recommendations and Technical Guidance, FEMA 549

2006

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Guide discussing observations, recommendations, and technical guidance as a result of Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Retrofit Guide - Gable End Overhangs

2020

Florida Disaster

Florida Division of Emergency Management

A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.

Hybrid Assemblies, BSI-100

2017

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

2006

Straube John

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

Impact Resistance of Advanced Framed Wall Systems with Insulating Sheathing as the Primary Sheathing, RR-0603

2009

Baker Peter,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Research study describing the impact resistance performance of advanced framed wall systems with insulating sheathing as the primary sheathing from wind blown debris.

Improving Attic Thermal Performance

2004

Parker Danny S

Home Energy Magazine

Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

Installation of Cavity Insulation, Info-501

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Article explaining installing cavity insulation.

Investigating Solutions to Wind Washing Issues in 2-Story Florida Homes; Phase 1

2009

Cummings James B,

Withers Charles R,

LaHiff Ian L

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Research study describing field testing performed in 32 two-story Florida homes to characterize wind washing failures of the house air and thermal boundary.

Kick the Can! No Recessed Lights in the Building Envelope

2011

Bailes Allison

Energy Vanguard

Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.

Literature Review of the Impact and Need for Attic Ventilation in Florida Homes

2005

Parker Danny S

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

PDF literature review of the impact and need for attic ventilation in Florida homes.

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

2015

Ply Gem Siding Group

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Measure Guideline: Air Sealing Attics in Multifamily Buildings

2012

Maxwell Sean,

Otis Casey

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Guideline describing the importance of the different types of multifamily building attics and their unique challenges, and outlines strategies and materials used in air-sealing them.

Measure Guideline: Buried and/or Encapsulated Ducts

2013

Mantha Pallavi,

Zoeller William,

Shapiro Carl

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.

Measure Guideline: Deep Energy Enclosure Retrofit for Double-Stud Walls

2015

Loomis Honorata,

Pettit Betsy

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report on two approaches to retrofitting existing double-stud walls.

Measure Guideline: Guide to Attic Air Sealing

2014

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation

Guideline describing information and specifications relevant to air-seal existing attics.

Miami-Dade County – Checklist #0155 for the Approval of Roof Ventilators, Turbines, and Ridge Vents

2012

Miami-Dade County

Report covering the selection of roof vents for rainwater resistance.

Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana, FEMA P-757

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

FEMA report describing findings from an investigation of Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana and residential construction recommendations based on those findings.

Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Michael in Florida: Building Performance Observations Recommendations and Technical Guidance, FEMA P-2077

2020

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team Report describing damages from Hurricane Michael in Florida in Oct. 2018 and recommendations for future hurricane preparedness.

Moisture Performance of Unvented Attics with Vapor Diffusion Ports and Buried Ducts in Hot, Humid Climates

2024

Kaufman Zoe,

et al.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report on the use of vapor diffusion ports to reduce moisture issues with buried ductwork in unvented attics in hot-humid climates.

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

2008

Lubliner Michael,

et al.

WSU Extension Energy Program,

Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development

Conference paper making the case that moving ducts to conditioned space saves energy, is practical for production builders (when accompanied by careful pre-planning), and creates significant andmarketable energy savings for homebuyers.

No Headers in Nonbearing Walls - Code Notes, Article 125

2011

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Document providing supplemental information for code enforcement professionals about headers in nonbearing walls.

No Sweat, BSI-094

2016

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Opportunities for Energy Conservation and Improved Comfort From Wind Washing Retrofits in Two-Story Homes - Part I

2010

Withers Charles R,

Cummings James B

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Report highlighting the evaluation methods used and extent of wind washing found in a study analyzing wind washing in thirty-two two-story homes.

Ping Pong Water and The Chemical Engineer, BSI-016

2016

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article outlining moisture accumulation in open cell spray polyurethane foam.

Preventing Ice Dams

2011

Fisette Paul

UMass Amherst Department of Environmental Conservation

Article describing how ice dams form on residential roofs, how they damage homes, and solutions to prevent future dams.

Protect Your Family from Asbestos - Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation

2015

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

This page provides important information on how to protect yourself and your family if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana.

Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos

2024

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

Website from the EPA containing information for homeowners and renters about how to identify asbestos in the home and how to deal with it to reduce exposure to it.

Radiant Barrier Calculator

2011

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

ORNL

Website providing an online calculator for determining energy and cost savings from installing radiant barriers in attics.

Radiant Barrier: Effect of Radiant Barriers on Heating and Cooling Bills

2022

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

ORNL

Fact sheet describing analysis of potential heating and cooling savings from radiant barriers in attics.

Radiant Barriers

2015

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

U.S. Department of Energy's website describing radiant barriers in homes.

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer

2005

Melody Ingrid,

Fairey Philip W,

Beal David

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.

Reexamining Roof Ventilation

2000

Woods Tony

Home Energy,

National Association for State Community Services Programs,

NASCSP

Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.

Retrofit Improvements - Bracing of Roof Projections

2012

Home Innovation Research Labs

HIRL

Fact sheet describing how to install bracing to retrofit roof dormers for increased wind resistance.

Retrofit of Blown Attic Insulation in Existing HUD-Code Manufactured Homes: Needs Assessment Report

2019

Lubliner Michael,

Ueno Kohta,

Burkett Lena

Washington State University Extension Energy Program,

WSU Extension Energy Program,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing the costs, benefits, and challenges of attic insulation retrofits in HUD-code manufactured homes.